LW22: Anuradha Bhagwati

In this episode, we sit down with Anuradha Bhagwati, former Marine Corps officer and author of the raw and revolutionary memoir, Unbecoming. Bhagwati’s deeply personal narrative chronicles her journey from the daughter of strict Indian immigrants to a trailblazing activist who fought for historic policy reforms in the military. After leaving behind an Ivy League education to join the Marines, Bhagwati confronted sexism, racism, and injustice within one of the most masculine institutions in the world. As a bisexual woman of color, her time in the Corps challenged her in ways she never anticipated.

Join us as we discuss Bhagwati’s experience in the military, her courageous fight to dismantle the misogyny and discrimination she witnessed, and the resilience it took to pursue such transformative change, including her role in lifting the ban on women in combat roles. We explore her journey of self-discovery, activism, and the inner conflict of balancing duty with personal values.